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But the new study showed there is a rich-poor divide where takeaways open their doors, with most in deprived areas (Image: Getty)

And it also found a heavier concentration in northern areas compared with the south.

Of the 30 local authorities with a high number of takeaways, 25 are in deprived areas in the north, the research found.

In Blackburn-with-Darwen, Lancs, 38% of all food outlets are takeaways compared with the national average of 26%.

It has 236 takeaways - equivalent to one for every 625 residents. And despite planning restrictions to limit the number of fast food bars in Bradford, numbers have leapt 20% from 606 to 733 in three years.

According to Cedar, 36% of food retail outlets in Bradford are now takeaways up from 33% since 2014.

The research also identified Manchester, Leeds, Hackney and Bournemouth as areas with high concentrations of food-to-go diners from fish and chips and doner kebabs to burgers.

But well heeled areas like Windsor, Oxford, Chichester and Sevenoaks, Kent were found to have less takeaways per head of population.

Professor Simon Capewell, vice-president for policy at the UK’s Faculty of Public Health said: “The junk food and sugary drinks sold by these outlets make an important contribution to the UK epidemic of obesity and diabetes.

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“Furthermore, the much greater density of fast food outlets in deprived neighbourhoods exacerbates existing, substantial inequalities in health. These trends are very worrying.”

Since 2010, more than 20 councils have tried to clamp down on the number of takeaways opening up in a bid to tackle obesity.

But they are fighting a losing battle as big businesses either overturn rulings or cash strapped councils bow to financial pressures caused by cutbacks and rake in lucrative business rates.

Experts are now calling for health chiefs to play a bigger role in deciding if a town needs another food-to-go outlet.

Martin Caraher, professor of food policy at City, University of London told The Guardian: “There needs to be a more dynamic public health presence in the planning system, to take into account all kinds of food on the go in our towns and cities.”

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Caroline Cerny, of the Obesity Health Alliance added: “Despite the health impact of the obesity epidemic being well known, it is shocking that the number of fast food takeaways is increasing.”

Figures from Public Health England (PHE) show almost two thirds of adults and a third of children aged two to 15-years-old are obese or overweight.

And health conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes caused by obesity claim 30,000 lives a year.

Dr Alison Tedstone, PHE’s chief nutritionist told The Guardian: “Our high streets are increasingly saturated with takeaways and food on the go, causing an over-consumption of cheap, unhealthy food and drinks.

“Obesity affects everyone and local authorities and the food and drink industry all have a role to play in creating an environment that encourages healthier options.

“This includes tackling the number of takeaways and the quality of the food they sell, especially among our most disadvantaged communities.”